REMAINER MPs are preparing to launch a fresh bid to block a no-deal Brexit as Theresa May scrambles to secure changes from Brussels on her unpopular deal.

The cross-party group hopes to convince the Commons to delay Britain’s departure from the EU if no agreement is reached by mid-March. This latest attempt to effectively rule out a no-deal Brexit is spearheaded by Labour MP Yvette Cooper and Tory former minister Sir Oliver Letwin. Under the plan, Parliament would be given the power to delay Brexit or stop the UK from “drifting into no deal by accident” if Mrs May fails to make progress in Brussels.

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This bill creates a Parliamentary safeguard to prevent us drifting into no-deal by accident

Labour MP Yvette Cooper

It comes after a similar move by Ms Cooper was defeated in the Commons last month.

Supporters of the plan, which include Tory former attorney general Dominic Grieve, believe that as the clock ticks towards March 29, it will focus the minds of MPs on all sides who believe no-deal would be a disaster for the UK economy.

Ms Cooper said: "This bill creates a Parliamentary safeguard to prevent us drifting into no-deal by accident, and to prevent those crucial decisions being left until the final fortnight."

Sir Oliver added: "Any MP who genuinely wants to prevent an under-prepared no-deal Brexit will need to vote for this bill at the end of February.

"It is the only way of giving the House of Commons the time to produce a consensus about a positive way forward if the PM cannot get her deal through by mid-March."